30th July

Connor on the mend

Academy News:

It was a joyous occasion at the Academy last Wednesday as Connor Bestford paid his first visit since his illness last month. Connor accompanied by Mum, brother and two best mates laughed and joked with players and coaches and even managed to throw a few arrows left handed which included a bulls-eye and a treble twenty! Everyone is delighted at the progress he is making and cannot wait for him to return to full time sessions.

On Board 1, Gary Thorne, Dan Read and Conner Bevis all enjoyed 4 wins apiece; Bevis hit 14 tons and a 19 dart 701, Read nailed two maximums and Thorne recorded check-outs of 100 and 84. Jordan Edmonds topped Board 3 with 5 from 5 including a 15 dart 501, closely followed by Jack Morris on 4 wins which included 87 and 70 finishes.

The lady singles session was tied with captain Christine Pike and the improving Ellie May both winning 4.

The last Junior session before the summer break was a darts-athlon with the impressive Keiron Lebrun the overall winner and Kyla Tobin a very good second. Lebrun won the bull’s-eyes and Shanghai sections, Ross Dixon the highest score and Kyla the Golf that included a superb second half score of 13.

The Academy recesses for August but the Andover Youth Open playing for the Jamie G trophy takes place at the Wolversdene on the 7^th August and the popular ‘Fun-Day’ is at New Street FC on Sunday 22^nd August.

Anyone wishing to take part in the Youth Open should contact either Mark Thorne 07795 515 403, Colin Pimm 07879 490 364 or Glen Dawkins on 01264 358 394. Players must be between the age of 13 and 21 as of the 1^st January 2010. 

Summer Invitation League Darts week 4:

 Group A.

News St A: 17 Wheel Clampers: 9.

Pairs 3-3, Singles: Ali MacDonald 4-1, Jeff White 3-2, Steve Shadwell 5-0 and Charlotte Burgess 3-2.

Magicians 17: Legionnaires 9.

Pairs 4-2. Singles: Glen Kynaston 4-1, Ivor Andrews 5-0, John Gaffney 3-2 and Gavin Howard 4-1.

Lardicake A 7: Monkees 19.

Pairs 1-5. Singles: Peter Bailey, Arron Monk 4-1, Ed Edmondson and Sean White 3-2.

Group B.

Young Guns +1: 21 New St Foxes 3.

Pairs 5-1. Singles: Andy Harvey, Adam Major 5-0, Stuart Eaton and Keiron Sloan 3-2.

Wolves 14: Lardi Loonies 12.

Pairs 3-3. Singles: Richie Ford 5-0, Andy Deavall 3-2, Carl Johnson 3-2 and Darren Barnes 4-1.

Lamb Rams 3: Mingers: 23.

Pairs 0-6. Singles: Kevin Ede 5-0, Conner Bevis 3-2, Sam Rooney 5-0 and Dan Read 4-1.

Heavy Hitters:

Tons: Graham Howard 12, Arron Monk, Andy Harvey 11, Dan Read, Sean White, Richie Ford, Jeff White,

Fastest leg: 14: Ivor Andrewsx2, Mark Thorne, 15: Arron Monk x2.

Highest Check Out: 142: Kevin Ede, 116: Arron Monk.

180’s: 2: Mark Thorne, Andy Harvey, and Kevin Ede. 1:  Martin Hopper, Sam Rooney, Stuart Eaton, Adam Major, Sean White, Richie Ford, Andy Deavall, Ivor Andrews and John Gaffney.

Classic Qualifier:

Congratulations to Martin Hopper, Ollie Clayton, Keiron Sloan and Stuart Eaton who came through last Saturday’s Andover qualifier heats. The Swindon trio of Rich Jones, Rob and Shaun Higginson took the three places for the non-Andover section.

Grand Prix:

Week 8 grand prix winners were Mark Thorne and Arron Monk who both won 5 picking up £21 each.   Joint third were Dennis Simpson, Sean White, Adam Dallimore, Gary Brant, Glen Dawkins and Pete Bailey winning 4 games each collecting £7 each for their efforts. Simpson had earlier struck the fastest leg with a 23 darter only to have Monk beat it with in 21. Prize fund now stands at £180.

Highest check out 156: Ivor Andrews (pictured right), Most 180’s 7: Sean White and Glen Dawkins.

Week 9 tonight, register by 8pm for 5 legs of 801 for £3.

23rd July 2010

ANDOVER INVITATION DARTS

Wolversdene Summer Open

Haines reigns at the Wolversdene.

From left to right : Winner - Johnny Haines, Dickie White (Wolversdene Rep) and Runner Up - Joe Lacey

Johnny Haines was a model of consistency in winning the inaugural Wolversdene Summer Open last Sunday. An excellent turnout of just under 60 produced some scintillating darts in the quest of a share of the £750 prize money. It was however to be the Swindon sharpshooter’s day losing only 3 legs throughout on his way to the title, £300 winners prize and a £40 bonus for his 161 checkout.

In the final, Haines defeated Reading’s Joe Lacey who had been in excellent form and defeated Berkshire colleague Mark Hadwick in the semis who had also impressed. Andover’s Arron Monk was disappointed to fall at the same stage, which is a measure of his ability and ambition these days. John Brine, Kevin Ede, Dan Woodcraft and Sean White all battled their way to the last eight with the latter registering an excellent 156 check out. Another youngster, 19-year-old Keiron Sloane who continues to show good improvement underlined his potential with two excellent finishes of 131 and 134.

Winner: Johnny Haines £300, 2^nd: Joe Lacey £150, 3-4: Arron Monk, Mark Hadwick £75 each. 5-8: John Brine, Kevin Ede, Dan Woodcraft and Sean White £30 each. Highest Finish 161: Johnny Haines £40.

Summer Invitation League Darts week 1:

Group A.

The Monkeys 24: Wheel Clampers 2.

Pairs 6-0, Singles: Dennis Simpson, Ed Edmondson, Peter Bailey 5-0, Billy Meakins 3-2.

Legionnaires 4: New Street A: 22.

Pairs 0-6. Singles: Steve Shadwell 5-0, Wim Krippel, Jeff White 4-1, Ali MacDonald 3-2.

Lardicake A 12: Magicians 14.

Pairs 3-3. Singles: Ray Perry 4-1, Graham Howard 3-2. John Gaffney 5-0, Glen Kynaston 3-2.

Group B.

Mingers 23: Lardi Loonies 3.

Pairs 4-2. Singles: Conner Bevis, Dan Read, Kevin Ede 5-0, Sam Rooney 4-1.

New St Foxes 2: Wolves 24.

Pairs 0-6. Singles: Gary Brant, Flapper Parfett, Adam Dallimore 5-0, Andy Deavall 3-2.

Lamb Rams 9: Young Guns +1: 17.

Pairs 1-5. Singles: Ray Tyson 3-2, Stuart Eaton 4-1, Keiron Sloane, Adam Major 3-2.

Heavy Hitters:

Tons: 11: Jeff White, Kevin Ede, Steve Shadwell, Dennis Simpson. 10:Peter Bailey, Steve Barnes, Graham Howard, Andy Deavall, Andy Harvey.

Fastest leg: 14: Ali MacDonald.

Highest Check Out: 130: Peter Bailey, 107: Sam Rooney

180’s: 1: Martin Hitchins, Ray Perry, Ali MacDonald, Andy Deavall, and Sam Rooney.

Academy News:

Good luck to Gavin Howard and Harriet Raynsford who represent Hampshire and the Academy at the British Teenage Darts Championship singles in Essex this weekend. The remaining Academy county players feature in the national team knock out.

Grand Prix:

The biggest turnout of the summer so far had Jeff White, Adam Dallimore and Mark Thorne winning all five and picking up £30 each. There were 9 maximums including 2 from Thorny. The fastest leg of the night came from Sean White who finished in 24 darts equalling the season’s best and Thorne nailed a 142 checkout. Week 7 tonight at the Entertainer, register by 8.15pm for 5 legs of 801 costing just £3 per player.

Partnership renewed:

AB Low Maintenance has renewed their sponsorship with top Andover darter Mark Thorne.

Michael Richmond, director of the Andover based company, pictured on the right, will get good national coverage as Mark has established himself in the county team and will be travelling around the country over the upcoming season.

Summer Invitation League week 2:

 Groups A and B.     here

Moses Wheeler Darts-Athlon;

Paul Cook emerged as the fifth Moses Wheeler Darts-Athlon champion after 7 hours of non stop darts in gruelling conditions. Congratulations to all those who braved the heat to make it such a memorable day. Big thanks to Brian and Maggie Jenkins and South West Inns for their continued support of Andover Darts.

1st: Paul Cook 46 points, 2nd; Dan Woodcraft 40, 3rd; Glen Dawkins 29, 4th Steve Barnes 24, 5th John Gaffney 22, 6th Craig Griffiths 20, 7th Kevin Ede 19, 8th Martin Richell 14.

Highest Score 1042: Kevin Ede. Most Bulls 29: Paul Cook. Shanghai 67: Kevin Ede, Golf 26; Paul Cook and Kevin Ede.

Academy News:

No Academy this week as Gary Thorne joined Sean White and Arron Monk in Nottingham for his induction into Team Unicorn and the 2011 Unicorn product launch amidst a host of darting who’s who including Phil Taylor James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld etc.

Congratulations to Conner Bevis, Luke Goddard and Daniel Brown who qualified for this years classic from a strong Academy entry.

Grand Prix:

Week 6 had Andy Deavall, Adam Dallimore, Chris Bailey, Adam Major, Arron Monk and Steve Barnes all winning 4 and £10 each.

The grand Prix will take place again this week at the Entertainer. Register by 8.15pm or contact Glen or Claire.

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"...DARTS - OUT IN THE OPEN.  And over Darts' Unicorn Youth Academy took the sport to the public over the May bank holiday. Members of the academy manned a unique stand where boards were hung on a 'cage'. The multi panel cage is ideal as a portable platform that can be taken almost anywhere. With 18 panels the cage can be used as a six board (chalk + board + blank panel) facility.

Following the tragic sudden passing of local teenager and Andover Darts Youth Academy member Jamie Gentleman, a sporting trust was set up as a legacy to the popular lad and his love of sport.

May bank holiday saw the first Jamie G Sports Fayre when more than 30 local sports clubs put on a great day in the town's central park with the aim of raising awareness of the huge variety of activities available in the small Hampshire market town. This may have been the first time darts has been exhibited outdoors (certainly one of the few occasions). The weather wasn't the best, in fact it rained almost none stop, but the Academy's stand was full up throughout the six hour event.

With four boards in use, members of the public were able to move through a series of four stations. Starting with the 'Lets Train Darts' junior board they then moved to the senior trainer, on to a standard board and finished on the tricky 'half size' professional practice board. Their scores were gathered and prizes given to those with the highest scores.

 Dave Kane, Sports Development Co-ordinator for local social landlord Testway Housing said: " ...I secured funding for the cage a couple of years ago with the aim of taking it to hard to reach areas as 'cage football' - a diversionary activity. Since getting involved with the darts Academy I've realized the cage can be 'multi functional'. Speaking with Academy coaches about how darts can be taken to the masses, the idea of using the cage was an obvious winner. We are putting together a program to take darts into schools, the cage will enable the academy to build a darts arena in the sports hall, how cool is that. The Jamie G sports event proved how popular this could be. The boards on show were different and people, young and old, all wanted get involved. Brilliant!"

Glen Dawkins, Chairman of the Academy said “We all know the benefits linked with darts and maths so this was our first step in taking Darts to the community, into schools and other such local events and with our partners, Unicorn Darts, Let’s TRAIN Darts and Testway Housing we are excited about the opportunities and development of youth darts in Hampshire.

Moses Wheeler Darts-Athlon;

Entries are still being taken for the Moses Wheeler Darts-Athlon which takes place at the Entertainer on Saturday 10^th July. The format is a compendium of traditional Pub Games. Players take part in 2 rounds of Shanghai, Highest Score, Golf (Round the board on Doubles), Highest Score as well as numerous games of 501. The boards are randomly drawn and points are awarded to every player for each discipline. There is around £600 of prize money being paid out to the last 8 but players must pre-register by 11.30am.

Arron Monk:

Another excellent performance this time at the Bournemouth Open in reaching another final of another quality competition. Master Monk’s progress was only halted by Unicorn tablemate, former Premier League champion and fellow ‘Hampshireman’ James Wade.

Grand Prix:

Week 5 had Andy Deavall and Peter Bailey splitting the prize money with each winning all their games. It was the turn of another youth player to shine this week with Luke Goddard hitting the 2 highest checkouts of the light with 125 and 102. The grand Prix will take place again this week at the Entertainer. Register by 8.15pm or contact Glen or Claire.

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Classic qualifiers announced.

 Andover Darts Classic 2010:

The John Taylor ranking tournament was the last chance to earn points for this year’s Classic and automatic qualification has now been settled. Points are earned and held for 2 years and only relinquished on the eve of the third anniversary of each event.

Qualification is as follows, 32 top ranked Andover Players, 12 top ranked Non League Players, 1 highest ranked lady qualifier, 8 Professional invites, 3 Andover Qualifiers, 3 Open Qualifiers, 3 Youth qualifiers, 2 Committee Wild Cards.

Top 32 Andover qualifiers: Mark Thorne, Arron Monk, John Gaffney (pictured right) , Sean White, Glen Dawkins, Steve Barnes, Ali MacDonald, Paul Reidy, Jeff White, Gary Thorne, Peter Bailey, Ivor Andrews, Ron Atwill, Adam Major, Dennis Simpson, Colin Pimm, Andy Harvey, Trevor James, Eddie Edmondson, Graham Howard, Darren Barnes, Gary Brant, Van Krippel, John Payne, Andy Deavall, Danny Ballard, Adam Dallimore, Steve Cox, Dan Read, Martin Hitchins, Colin Denyer and Ray Perry.

Top 5 Reserves: Chris Witts, Tom Stewart, Chris Bailey, Glen Kynaston and Stuart Eaton.

Top 12 Non League Players: Paul Cook, Kevin Ede, Sam Rooney, Craig Griffiths, Johnny Haines, Mark Cox, Dan Woodcraft, Gary Scratchley, Mick Savvery, Martin Richell, Vernon Green and Tony Clark.

Top 3 Reserves: Nigel Day, Steve Willard and Richie Ford.

Highest ranked lady: Charlotte Burgess, reserve Lenita March.

The Academy play offs conclude this week and all the qualifiers take place at the Entertainer on Saturday 24^th July.

Andover’s Magnificent 7;  successful Hampshire Youth representatives; Conner Bevis, Gary Thorne, Gavin Howard, Dan Read, Harriet Raynsford, Sam Pike and Jordan Edmonds.

 Moses Wheeler Darts-Athlon;

The Moses Wheeler Darts-Athlon takes place at the Entertainer on Saturday 10^th July with the format a compendium of traditional Pub Games. Players take part in 2 rounds of Shanghai, Highest Score, Golf (Round the board on Doubles), Highest Score as well as numerous games of 501.

The boards are randomly drawn and points are awarded to every player for each discipline. There is around £600 of prize money being paid out to the last 8 but players must pre-register by 11.30am.

Academy News:

Karen Bestford visited the Academy to relay heartening news of a steady recovery being made by Connor her son Connor. A signed photo from 15 times world champion Phil Taylor will no doubt help as will his May player of the month award from the Academy. Other award winners were Ross Dixon from the juniors and Harriet Raynsford from the ladies section.

The 5^th Andover Youth Open takes place at the Wolversdene Club on Saturday 7^th August.

Entries are expected from all over the country but organisers are hoping there will be a good entry not only from the Academy but also youngsters from all around the area to compete for the Jamie ‘G’ memorial trophy. There is a great array of prizes to be won including two 22 inch lcd, dvd. Hd, televisions for the winner. Entries for the separate boys and girls event is £3 per player who must be under 21 as at 1^st January 2010 and a minimum age of 13. Closing date for entries is 26^th July.

Finally congratulations to 14 year old Dan Read who ploughed a lone furrow to the Isle of Sheppey. Dan reached the semi finals before bowing out to an 18 year old Dutch youth international.

Grand Prix:

This Friday saw week 4 of the grand prix take place. The big hitters of the night were Van Krippel, Andy Deavall and Glen Dawkins winning 5 games each and collecting £26 each. Keiron Sloane again showed his improvements by winning 4 games. Mark Thorne hit 2 180’s and had a 24 dart leg. This week’s event will take part at the Entertainer register by 8.15 pm for 5 randomly drawn legs of 801 for £3 entry.